Recording Sweet Spot: Cove City Sound Studios – Glen Cove, Long Island
They love music at Cove City Sound Studios.
While that should be obvious when you’re talking about a recording facility, it’s not always plain as day. But it is at this spot in the Long Island enclave of Glen Cove, where the rolling hills and North Shore vistas have a positive effect on sound.
The upbeat attitude starts with Cove City’s founder, Richie Cannata, who stands as one of the East Coast’s foremost sax men. The first saxophone player in Billy Joel’s band, Cannata played on many of Joel’s most beloved albums including Turnstiles, The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses, and Songs in the Attic. He’s been plenty busy since then, founding the studio in 1983 and playing with plenty of megastars.
Check below and you’ll see a huge credit list that’s come through Cove City — platinum stars and local artists alike who know that Cannata and crew get it. Once inside, they find a sizable live room, classic instruments…and a tracking setup that combines a Neve 8068 and SSL 4000 G+ (two of ‘em!) in most unusual fashion.
Control Room A at Cove City houses one of two SSL 4000 G+ consoles.
Facility Name: Cove City Sound Studios, Inc.
Website: covecitysoundstudios.com
Location: Glen Cove, Long Island, NY
Neighborhood Advantages: Cove City is located in the beautiful, quiet suburb of Glen Cove, away from the chaos and congestion of the city, yet it’s less than 45 minutes by car and under an hour by train from Manhattan, and JFK and LaGuardia airports.
Stationed right in the heart of town, there is a plethora of great restaurants within walking distance. The studio is also within walking distance of the Glen Street train station, and not far from the Glen Cove Mansion and numerous other hotels and suites. There is a bus stop right across the parking lot and local cab services are readily available. We also have FREE 24-hour parking!
Date of Birth: 1983
Facility Focus: Tracking, mixing, production, songwriting, ADR to picture, tape transferring
Richie Cannata knows what clients expect in a world-class studio.
Famed Founder: Cove City is owned and run by Richie Cannata who is Billy Joel’s original saxophone player. He also plays with the Beach Boys and is currently the musical director of Bernie Williams’ band.
Being a professional recording and touring musician allows Richie to maintain the perspective of the artists and clients that he services. “We’ve won Grammys and Oscars from our recordings, but we work with everyone from kids doing college audition recordings to J. Lo. Everybody gets treated the same here.”
Mission Statement: With a proven 32 years of success, Cove City Sound Studios is the total package of professionalism, talent, and support in an environment that encourages creativity without compromising quality or service.
Clients/Credits: Dream Theater, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Brand New, Kevin James, TAUK, Bernie Williams, Ray Charles, Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, CHAPPO, Mariah Carey, Andrew Watt, NSYNC, Taylor Dayne, Envy, Cody Simpson, Mark Guiliana, Whitney Houston, Sha Money XL, FOX Broadcasting Company, Marc Anthony, John Stamos, Dee Snider, Jessica Simpson, Gabriel Day Lewis, Nick Lachey, Jimmy Webb, Demi Lovato, Spyro Gyra, Cheap Trick, Ann Sophie, Doug Stegmeyer, Liberty DeVitto, Mandy Moore, LL Cool J, Kelly Osbourne, John Petrucci, Hall & Oates, Max Weinberg, Ashanti, Jimmy Vivino, Chicago (Sound Track), Boyzone, Carl Wilson, Al Jardine, Matt Jardine, Brie Larson, Anastacia, Bakithi Kumalo, Clay Aiken, The Beach Boys, Howard Stern, Jenna Rose, Randy Brecker, Eternal, Christopher Wallace Jr., Pretty Woman (Sound Track), Delta Goodrem, Sony Pictures Animation, Dixie Chicks, Jonny Rosch, Diana King, Apryl Allen, The Benrus Watch Company, Ginuwine, Ali Lohan, Tommy Shaw, Lita Ford, Steven Seagal, and many more!
See/hear the live room in action with “For the First Time” by Maria Ellis:
Key Personnel: Richie Cannata (Studio Owner), Eren Cannata (Producer/Co-Owner), John Arbuckle (Engineer/Studio Manager), James Meslin (Chief Engineer), Eric Costenbader (Media Coordinator), Steve Wall (Engineer/Producer), Jim Annunziato (Specialty Engineer), Julio Fernandez (Guitarist/Producer)
Outboard galore in Studio A.
System Highlights: Neve 8068, SSL 4000 G+ (2), Studer 820 (2), Pro Tools 10 HD, Apogee Symphony 32×32 I/O, Digidesign 192 I/O (4)
Distinguishing Characteristics: Studios A/B/C, 40’x40′ live room with 20′ ceilings, 3 iso booths, large studio A control room with production area and couches, Yamaha C7 grand piano, vintage Wurlitzer, 2 lounges, 2 bathrooms, and a coffee maker of course!
2-Console System: We have the option to track through the Neve 8068 in the live room which is then normalled to the patchbay in the control room, and we mix on the SSL. We also racked the last 8 channels of the Neve in the control room for easy access.
It’s an unusual setup but it works great and sounds amazing. I mean who wouldn’t want to track through a Neve and mix on an SSL?!
The big live room also contains a Neve 8068 for tracking.
The building is on fire, you only have time to grab ONE thing to save, what is it? The Neve!
Rave Reviews: What do people tell you they like/love about your studio? Great sound, great service, great vibe. People love making music here!
Most Memorable Session Ever: John Arbuckle: “For me, it would have to be Dream Theater. They’re my favorite band.” Richie Cannata: “It was amazing having Ray Charles here.”
Session You’d Like to Forget: We love them all!
Dream Session: John Arbuckle: “Metallica in the 80s or early 90s.” Richie Cannata: “The Beatles.
John Arbuckle, Engineer/Studio Manager, Cove City Sound Studios
SSL #2 in Studio B.
In depth on the 8068.
Tickle this Yamaha C7…
…or take the Wurlitzer for a whirl.
Additional videos from John Petrucci and Tauk show Cove City in motion:
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